Inflatable cervical cushion

ABSTRACT

An inflatable cervical cushion for providing support to the cervical spine and surrounding cervical musculature of the wearer while seated. The present invention is for an inflatable cervical cushion which adjustably reinforces the neck to support the cervical spine in a proper lordotic position, alleviating neck pain caused by improper posture and fatigue. The cushion encircles the wearer&#39;s neck and rests on the wearer&#39;s shoulders, and contains a compartment with an inflatable cushion centrally located in the back of the cushion. The inflatable cushion is of a rectangular or oval design which is positioned horizontally in the back of the neck such that the thicker center portion of the cushion supports the cervical spine and the thinner end portions support the surrounding musculature. In addition, there is a vertical extension from the top of the cushion which supports the base of the skull, or occiput, thereby supporting the skull at the same time of supporting the cervical spine. Support is provided when the wearer is seated and the cushion creates pressure between the wearer and the back of a chair. The cushion is inflated by manual means such that the firmness and pressure of the cushion is totally adjustable.

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application 60/901,197, filed Feb. 14, 2007.

The present invention relates to a device capable of providing variable cervical and neck support. More particularly, the invention relates to an inflatable cervical cushion which supports the cervical spine in a normal lordotic position. The device comprises an inflatable cushion, worn about the neck and resting on the shoulders, having a particular configuration and dimensions to provide an individualized cushion when inflated. Inflating the cervical cushion of this invention exerts pressure against the back of a chair or other seat, when the wearer is seated. This in turn creates pressure against the cervical vertebrae and the surrounding cervical musculature to maintain the cervical spine in a proper lordosis. In addition, the cervical cushion of this invention provides a vertical support at the top of the cushion which supports the base of the skull, or occiput, thereby supporting the skull at the same time of supporting the cervical spine. The purpose of the cervical neck cushion is to support the neck of the wearer when they are in the seated position or in the reclined position in a chair, a car seat or plane seat. The cervical neck cushion of this invention is thus ideal to serve as a neck pillow while traveling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Neck and cervical pain is an ever increasing problem in this country, largely due to society's movement to a computerized world. We spend a considerable amount of our day sitting. Most cervical pain from sitting is related to poor posture in which the person sits in a slumped or rounded posture. This poor posture occurs more readily when the seat or chair does not give proper support.

The human skull, which weighs an average of 10-12 pounds, is supported by seven cervical vertebrae, and the surrounding muscles and ligaments of the cervical spine. The ideal position for the skull is to be situated directly over the shoulders. Any position other than this position creates stress on the cervical spine. An example is when we sit with our heads tilted forward gazing at a computer screen. This stretches the muscles and ligaments at the back of the neck producing fatigue and strain. On the other hand when we slump and gaze at the screen or TV we force our heads backwards into extension, compressing the posterior joints or facets of the spine, which increase neck pain. The observer needs only to look upward while sitting for a few moments to experience this compression and discomfort.

This painful position of extension occurs when you attempt to recline in your chair, seat, bus seat, airline seat, etc. Many a person would wake up from this position with neck pain and even numbness of the arms because the neck was not supported and the head was allowed to tilt backwards into extension. This is one of the reasons we have head rests in cars today, to prevent a forceful backward movement of the skull, or extension, which would damage the joints and compress the exiting nerves of the cervical spine.

There are a variety of cervical travel pillows, rolls and neck cushions on the market today and most, if not all, serve only as a roll of foam that drapes over the shoulders to fill the space between the neck and seat to attempt to support the cervical spine. Neck cushions also exist in a variety of sizes, but are not adjustable and are generally inadequately designed to maintain the cervical curve. None of these neck cushions are able to be adjusted to accommodate the individual's specific requirements for support, and none of the existing cushions provide support for the back of the skull, the bone known as the occiput, to prevent the head from tilting backwards into extension.

In contrast, the present invention provides a support especially suited for supporting the cervical spinal column in a proper lordosis by employing a variably inflatable bladder or cushion of novel design arranged centrally respective to the back and sides of the neck. This cushion of this invention has a bladder that can be inflated to different degrees thereby being adjustable to support the individual's needs for their neck, and also supporting and cradling the cervical spine. The cushion is configured and dimensioned to provide variable pressure and support to the cervical vertebrae and the surrounding musculature when inflated. Also, the bladder provides a vertical support at the top of the cushion, and surrounded by the cushion, which supports the occiput, resting the base of the skull upon it and preventing the skull from extending backwards and thus decreasing the pressure placed on the facets and nerves of the cervical spine. In general, the cushion allows the cervical spine to be properly supported by the inflatable bladder, resting the skull in a neutral position over the shoulders by the bladder's upward extension, decreasing pressure and ultimately neck pain.

The cushion pushes against the back of a seat which in turn creates a counter pressure to the neck. The novel shape of the bladder results in the majority of the cushion being extended into the center of the neck while the outer portions push against the cervical musculature. The cushion is held into optimum position by circumferentially extending arms which position and hold the cushion around the neck while resting on the shoulders. The cushion can be made in different sizes and the air pressure within the cushion can be variably adjusted by the use of a manually operated air pump to inflate or deflate the bladder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed towards an inflatable cervical support device generally in the form of a removable cushion designed to surround the neck and rest on the shoulders, and provide support for the neck and skull. The cervical cushion properly positions an inflatable bladder at the proper level of the cervical spine to provide support for the cervical spine in a proper lordosis, when the wearer is seated. The inflatable cushion is positioned horizontally so that it provides neck support to the cervical spine as well as the surrounding musculature and the joints located on each side of the cervical spine. The inflatable bladder also provides a vertical support extending upward from the top and surrounded by the cushion, which supports the occiput, resting the base of the skull upon it and preventing the skull from extending backwards. When the bladder is inflated, the cushion has a novel shape that provides more pressure or support to the cervical spine and relatively less support to the musculature.

The cervical support apparatus is in the form of a cushion which includes a centrally positioned inflatable bladder. The back portion of the cushion curves into a pair of opposed elongated front extensions, or arms, which terminate in a pair of spaced free ends. An inflatable bladder is contained within a compartment located in the center of the back cushion portion and is of a size and shape to be received against and provide support to the back of the neck and skull. A tube connected with pump means controls the flow of air into and out of the inflatable bladder. The pump means is operated manually by the wearer whereby the amount of inflation and the internal air pressure within the bladder may be adjusted.

The inflatable bladder within the cervical cushion is generally rectangular or oval in shape and is arranged horizontally in the center of the rear of the cushion. The bladder is designed to have a specific lengthwise dimension such that, when inflated, the center of the cushion provides support to the spine while the ends of the cushion provide support for the musculature on either side of the cervical spine, while the upward extension of the bladder, and cushion, and also contacts and provides support for the occiput. The bladder also has specific width dimension and height dimensions, as measured through the center of the cushion, to provide support to the cervical vertebrae. The upward extension of the cushion provides support to the occiput. Additionally, the cushion has a particular depth dimension sufficient to cause a decrease in the cervical angle to its normal limits.

This novel design, unknown in the prior art, allows the cervical cushion to provide more support to the center for the neck and skull, and less support to the musculature. In one embodiment of the invention, the bladder is essentially divided into sections, partially separated internally by heat sealing or otherwise connecting the front and back portions of the bladder, such that the partial separations help properly regulate the amount of inflation in the individual sections.

The cervical support apparatus may also contain a sleeve or pocket located on the outside of the back portion of the cushion, on the forward side that would contact the neck. The pocket is dimensioned to receive a device or insert, such as a heat pack or cold pack that are commercially available. An opening at one side, or top, of the pocket permits the removable insertion of the hot or cold pack or vibration device, which when properly inserted and positioned, provides for heat or cold treatment at the cervical spine. The hot or cold pack can be used regardless of whether or not the bladder is inflated.

In addition, means for providing vibration in the cushion for massaging the cervical spine and musculature can be supplied. In one embodiment, the vibration means can be in the form of a vibrating metallic disc or discs, as are available commercially, which are operated electrically using standard DC batteries. The vibrating discs can be mounted on the top or front side of the bladder, for proper positioning on the neck, while the batteries and control switch, connected by wires to the discs, can be located in the extended arm of the cushion that does not contain the pump for inflating the bladder.

The cervical cushion apparatus is intended to provide optimal neck and head support when the wearer is seated, most often in chairs, couches, car seats or any other types of seats having a back. In operation, the cervical cushion is placed around the wearer's neck and rests on the shoulders, and is arranged with the center of the cushion against the back of the wearer's neck, thus positioning the inflatable bladder centrally respective to the wearer's neck. While the wearer is seated, the bladder is inflated using the pump means provided in either one of the forward extended arms of the cushion. The firmness of the inflatable cushion, the amount of inflation and pressure exerted is dependent upon the particular person's comfort level. The bladder is inflated until the cushion the back of the chair, for example and then exerts pressure against the back of the neck. The inflation is continued until the wearer feels that comfortable support is achieved in an optimum proper lordosis position. When the wearer rises to walk about, the pressure is automatically relieved from the cushion and the bladder may be deflated by simply opening an air release valve.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a cervical and neck support cushion having a variable volume and variable inflatable bladder associated therewith.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a cervical support having an elongated cushion positioned horizontally received against the back of the neck, dimensioned such that the elongated cushion provides support to the cervical spine and surrounding musculature.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a cervical support which provides maximum comfort for the wearer in an optimum lordotic position of the cervical spine, and wherein the volume and pressure of the cushion can be manually controlled by the wearer using pump means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support to the cervical spine and surrounding musculature while at the same time providing support for the head.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable cervical support device wherein the cervical spine can be treated with heat, cold or vibration while the cervical spine is held in the proper lordosis position.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inflatable cervical cushion apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the inflatable cervical cushion;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the bladder of the inflatable cervical cushion;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the bladder of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating different embodiments of the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 perspectively illustrates the inflatable cervical support in the form of a cushion 10 adapted to surround the wearer's neck, with a centrally positioned inflatable bladder 12. Bladder 12 is located inside a compartment 14 within cushion 10, which has an outer side 16 and an inner side 18 made of a flexible fabric material or leather. The cushion itself may be made of a solid core of foam rubber or other rubber-type material such as neoprene, to form a relatively flexible apparatus which conforms to one's neck and rests on the shoulders when properly positioned. The back portion 52 of the cushion 10 curves into opposed elongated side extensions, or arms, 20 which terminate in a pair of spaced free ends 22.

Bladder 12 is positioned horizontally within compartment 14 and is centrally located with respect to the length of the cushion 10, so that when the cushion 10 is properly attached about the neck, and resting on the shoulders, bladder 12 is centrally located at the back of the wearer's neck. As shown in FIG. 1, bladder 12 is generally oval in shape with its longer lengthwise dimension 24 being horizontally disposed. When inflated, bladder 12 expands outwardly from the outward side 16 of the cushion 10 into a hemi-elliptical shape having a thickness dimension 26 at the center of the bladder 12 which is generally thicker than at the ends 28 of the bladder 12. The difference in thickness between the center 26 of bladder 12 and the bladder ends 28 results in the hemi-elliptical shape of bladder 12, as seen from the top as in FIG. 2. However, the thickness of the bladder ends 28 may be increased as in other embodiments until it approaches the thickness of the center 26 of bladder 12.

Bladder 12 also has an extended portion 38 which projects upwardly from the center of bladder 12. Extended portion 38 is configured to expand upwardly when bladder 12 is inflated, and is designed to expand sufficiently such that it causes cushion 10 to expand upwardly as well. At the height of its expansion, an upward portion 40 of cushion 10 comes into contact with the person's head, at the occiput, and sufficient inflation of bladder 12 can thus be provided to provide support for the head. Accordingly, support for the head can be provided at the same time as the cushion 10 provides cervical support for the neck and the cervical musculature.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a proximal end of flexible tube 30 is connected at one of the bladder ends 28 for providing a passageway for inflating and deflating bladder 12. Tube 28 may be manufactured from any flexible tubing material known in the art, such as synthetic or natural rubber, polyethylene, latex or the like. The distal end of tube 30 is connected to means 32 for inflating bladder 12. A manually operated squeeze bulb is preferred, although it is contemplated that other types of inflation means can be devised. Inflation means 32 is located near the outer surface of one of cushion arms 16, so that inflation means 32 is easily accessible to the wearer when cushion 10 is worn. Inflation means 32 can also be concealed within a pocket 34, FIG. 2, on either one of the extended arms 20.

Being intended to provide neck support by maintaining the cervical spine in a proper lordotic position, bladder 12 is dimensioned to come into contact with specific anatomical points of the neck. For example, the length dimension 24 of bladder 12 is selected to span the distance between the joints opposed cervical while providing support to the surrounding cervical musculature. Accordingly, it has been found that a length 24 of 3 to 8 inches is sufficient to contact cervical joints of most wearers, with 4-6 inches being preferred as the average.

In order to maintain an adequate depth of an arc for a lordosis, bladder 12 may be inflated to a variable thickness, but optimally, a thickness 26 of only about 1-2 inches is necessary to create a proper lordosis. Additionally, a thickness of substantially greater than 2 inches could become uncomfortable to the average wearer.

FIGS. 3 and 5 depict further embodiments of the bladder 12 of the within invention. These embodiments may deviate from the general oval shape of bladder 12, to bladder shapes which provide proportionately variable support between the center along the cervical spine, and lateral support for the cervical musculature. This variability is accomplished by increasing the bladder height dimension 36 near the bladder ends 28 over what would be the corresponding dimension for an oval shape. Accordingly, examples of these embodiments comprise bladder 12 having lateral support at the bladder ends 28 with height dimensions 36 which are generally less than the width dimension 24 measured at the center of bladder 12. Height dimensions 36 may be varied, but are generally within the range of from 2 inches to 5 inches, which would still be less than width dimension 24, but provide more or less support to the cervical musculature as desired.

Additionally, the different shapes of bladder 12 in the embodiments may be designed to have different thickness in different parts of the bladder. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, bladder 12 can be apportioned into multiple sections 42, with three sections being preferred. The sections 42 are separated by baffles 44, which may be formed by heat sealing the front side 46 of the cushion with the back side 48 of the cushion (see FIG. 6), or by any other similar means. The baffles may extend for most of the height of bladder 12, but not the entire height, leaving openings between the sections 42 for the passage of air. In addition, the baffles may be cylindrical in nature, with openings 50 in the sides of the cylinders to allow for the passage of air. In this manner, the baffles 44 regulate the levels of inflation among sections 42, permitting different thickness between the center and end sections.

When inflated, see FIG. 4, the thickness 26 may any desired thickness, but 1-2 inches is the optimum thickness for the preferred embodiment of this invention. As a practical matter, once bladder 12 attains its maximum thickness when the wearer is seated, adding additional air using inflation means serves to increase the firmness of the cushion.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein mesh or other material is utilized to cover the inner side of cushion 10. The mesh material can be folded and then stitched to create pocket 54 for the insertion of a hot or cold pack (not shown). Typically, the hot or cold pack would be inserted on the inner side of the cushion 10, in pocket 54. In that way, the hot/cold pack would directly contact the wearer's neck in the proper position. Pocket 54 should be large enough to contain a hot or cold pack, and it is preferred that the pocket 54 extends the length 24 of the bladder, although pocket 54 could be shorter than that length if desired. An opening 56 may also be provided towards an end of the folded mesh material, for easy insertion of the hot/cold pack. Opening 56 could simply be an unstitched end of folded mesh material, or means for closing the opening 56, such as a zipper or Velcro.® could be used.

In a preferred embodiment, a mechanism can be added to cushion 10 to provide a vibration modality. Vibration of the cushion would be desired to add a soothing massage function to the back of the neck while at the same time providing support for the cervical spine and the neck. Such vibration function may be attained by the addition of a mechanically oscillating disc 58, or discs, as are commercially available. Discs 58 can be positioned anywhere in the cushion 10 that is desired, but it I preferred that discs 58 be placed either on top or on the front surface 46 of bladder 12. See FIGS. 2 and 6. It is further preferred that the discs be located on the front surface 46, of bladder 12 and on top of the indentations caused by the baffles 44 when inflated, as shown in FIG. 6. Any number of discs 58 can be used, but 2-3 discs are preferred.

The discs 58 are connected by wires 60 and are electrically driven by means of one or more standard DC batteries 62, and operated by an electrical switch 64. As seen in FIG. 2, batteries 62 and switch 64 can be positioned in one of the extension arms 20. It is preferred that the extension arm 20 containing the batteries 62 and switch 64 is the extension arm that does not contain the manually operated pump.

While the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification. The invention disclosed herein is therefore intended to cover all such modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A cervical cushion for supporting the cervical spine and surrounding musculature of the wearer's neck in a lordotic position while the wearer is seated, said support comprising; an elongated, circumferentially rigid extending cushion having back portion and a pair of opposed cushion ends adapted to be releasably placed about the person's neck; a compartment centrally located within the back portion of the cushion and positioned to be centrally adjacent the back of the wearer's neck, said compartment being configured to contain an inflatable bladder; an inflatable bladder having a length, height and thickness dimension provided inside said compartment, said length dimension of said bladder being positioned in a horizontal direction within the compartment; pump means for adjustably, manually inflating and deflating said bladder; tubing means for connecting said pump means with said bladder; wherein said bladder is configured to expand when manually inflated such that said bladder expansion causes compression between the wearer's neck and the back of a chair or seat, causing pressure on the cervical spine and neck of the wearer; and wherein said bladder is configured such that more pressure is exerted on the cervical spine than the surrounding musculature.
 2. The cervical cushion according to claim 1, wherein said inflatable bladder further comprises an upwardly extending section from about the center of a top surface of the inflatable bladder, configured such that, when inflated, the upwardly extending section expands to a degree that the top center of the cervical cushion comes in contact with the occiput, and thus provides support for the skull at the same time the cervical cushion provides support for the cervical spine and surrounding musculature.
 3. The cervical cushion according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal length dimension of the bladder is greater than the height dimension of the bladder.
 4. The cervical cushion according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing vibration in the back portion of the cushion.
 5. A cervical cushion apparatus for supporting the cervical spine and surrounding musculature of the wearer's neck in a lordotic position while the wearer is seated, said support comprising; an elongated, circumferentially rigid extending cushion adapted to be releasably placed about the person's neck; a compartment centrally located within the back portion of the cushion and positioned to be centrally adjacent the back of the wearer's neck when the cushion is properly positioned about the person's neck, said compartment being configured to contain an inflatable bladder; an inflatable bladder having a front side portion and a back side portion, and length, height and thickness dimensions, said length dimension of said bladder being positioned in a horizontal direction within the compartment; said inflatable bladder further comprising an upwardly extending section from about the center of a top surface of the inflatable bladder, configured such that, when inflated, the upwardly extending section expands to a degree that the top center of the cervical cushion comes in contact with the occiput, and thus provides support for the skull at the same time the cervical cushion provides support for the cervical spine and surrounding musculature; means for adjustably, manually inflating and deflating said bladder; wherein said bladder is configured to expand when manually inflated such that said bladder expansion causes compression between the wearer's neck and the back of a chair or seat, causing pressure on the cervical spine and neck of the wearer;
 6. The cervical cushion of claim 5, wherein said bladder is configured in a shape such that more pressure is exerted on the cervical spine than the surrounding musculature.
 7. The cervical cushion according to claim 6, wherein the horizontal length dimension of the bladder is greater than the height dimension of the bladder.
 8. The cervical cushion according to claim 6, wherein said inflatable bladder further comprises an upwardly extending section from about the center of a top surface of the inflatable bladder, configured such that, when inflated, the upwardly extending section expands to a degree that the top center of the cervical cushion comes in contact with the occiput, and thus provides support for the skull at the same time the cervical cushion provides support for the cervical spine and surrounding musculature.
 9. The cervical cushion according to claim 6 wherein said inflatable bladder is comprised of more than one inflatable section, said inflatable sections being partially separated by baffles.
 10. The cervical cushion according to claim 9, wherein said baffles are formed by heat-sealing the front side and back side portions of said inflatable bladder.
 11. The cervical cushion according to claim 10, wherein said baffles are configured to regulate the flow of air between said sections.
 12. The cervical cushion according to claim 10, wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises first, second and third inflatable sections, wherein said second section is located between said first and third sections, and said first and second sections and said second and third sections are separated by said baffles.
 13. The cervical cushion according to claim 1, further comprising a second compartment centrally located on a front surface of the back portion of the cushion and positioned to be located adjacent the back of the wearer's neck when the cervical cushion is properly positioned about the wearer's neck.
 14. The cervical cushion according to claim 13 wherein said second compartment is configured as a pocket to contain an item, said pocket containing an opening on the top or side.
 15. The cervical cushion according to claim 13 wherein said second compartment is configured as a pocket to contain a cold pack or a heating pack.
 16. The cervical cushion according to claim 5, wherein said inflatable bladder further comprises an upwardly extending section from about the center of a top surface of the inflatable bladder, configured such that, when inflated, the upwardly extending section expands to a degree that the top center of the cervical cushion comes in contact with the occiput, and thus provides support for the skull at the same time the cervical cushion provides support for the cervical spine and surrounding musculature.
 17. A method of achieving a proper lordosis of the cervical spine while seated, comprising the steps of; fastening a cervical cushion around one's neck, said cervical cushion comprising; an elongated, circumferentially extending cushion portion having a pair of opposed cushion ends adapted to be releasably placed about the person's neck; a compartment centrally located within the cushion portion and positioned to be centrally adjacent the back of the wearer's neck when the cervical cushion is properly positioned about the wearer's neck, said compartment being configured to contain an inflatable bladder; an inflatable bladder having a length, width and thickness dimension provided inside said compartment, said length dimension of said bladder being positioned in a horizontal direction within the compartment; pump means for adjustably, manually inflating and deflating said bladder; tubing means for connecting said pump means with said bladder; wherein said bladder is configured to expand when manually inflated such that said bladder expansion causes compression between the back of the wearer's neck and the back of a chair or seat, causing pressure on the cervical spine and neck of the wearer; and wherein said bladder is configured in a shape such that more pressure is exerted on the cervical spine than the surrounding musculature; and manually inflating said bladder by operating the pump means until the expansion of the bladder causes a proper lordotic position to be achieved. 